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Video:Do Ouija Boards Work?

Can you really communicate with the dead through ouija boards? Explore whether this dark and mysterious item actually works in this how-to video from About.com.See Transcript

Transcript:Do Ouija Boards Work?

Hi I'm Chris Davis for About.com. The Ouija board was invented in the early 1890's and was being sold as a novelty item and parlor game. However, the mysteriousness that surrounds the Ouija board has always made people question…does it really work?

Two Lines of Thought on Whether the Ouija Board Works

There seems to be two lines of thought on this question. Yes, most certainly. When used properly the Ouija Board can allow contact with spirits, ghosts and other forces from beyond. Or, no, it's a hoax where the users are either consciously or subconsciously controlling the board. It's been years since I have used a ouija board but I thought I would give it a try to find out.

Does the Planchette Really Move on Its Own?

Those who believe that the Ouija board can be used to connect with other realms agree that the planchette is being guided by spirits answering questions of the medium using the board. Letters are strung together spelling out words or clues.

Those who feel it's just a game subscribe to the idea that if the planchette moves it's because the players are moving it. This is also know as the ideomotor effect…or simply that the users are having involuntary/unconscious movement. The idea being that your muscles can move without you consciously thinking about it. Even more simply put, the power of suggestion. Suggestions can influence the mind and affect motor behavior. What is purely physiological appears to some to be paranormal.

Use a Ouija Board Blindfolded

One suggestion to determine the validity of a Ouija board is to use it blindfolded. Therefore when you ask the spirits a question there shouldn't be any need for you to see the board if they are truly guiding it. Have someone else record the results and see if it makes sense.

We tried our session for nearly two hours and there were a few moments where it felt...different. Still not 100 percent sure if it truly does work, but it was a lot of fun. To learn more, check us out on the web at Abou.com. Thanks for watching.

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